All the way II: And Even Further

Hermione searched the pockets again, but still there was nothing to be found. The letter was gone!

"Hermione?"

Oh Merlin! What is Severus had found it?

"Y-yes?"

"What are you doing?"

"Just... um... putting some stuff away..."

"Well, I've got a detention to be at... I’ll be back in an hour."

No... Severus could not have found it... Hermione would probably be dead if he had found she was keeping something like that from him.

Hermione searched the pockets again, frantically.

"Looking for this?"

The voice was stony, but it was not Severus. It was worse.

It was Lucius.

Slowly, Hermione turned. The blonde was standing in the door way, waving the letter that she was searching so desperately for.

"H-how did you get that?" She asked quietly.

"That... is not the point..." he walked into the room and shut the door, as Hermione sat, faintly, on the edge of the bed. He held out the letter, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"You... you were too young -"

"But I’m seventeen in three months!"

"I know! But... well... I was going to... I didn't think it was really important -"

"Not important? Not important!" Lucius yelled. He straightened out the letter and read aloud, "Mrs. Snape... blah blah blah... VISTING ORDER... blah blah blah... wants to see his son... blah blah blah... from AZKABAN!" Hermione flinched as he yelled his loudest yet and wiped the tears from her cheeks, "TELL ME HOW THAT ISN'T IMPORTANT!"

There was silence for a long time. Finally, Lucius stopped looking angry and started staring at her, confused. Breathing heavily, Hermione held out her hand and, when he took it, guided him to sit beside her.

"Listen, Azkaban is not a place for you. I've been there and I would not wish it on any one that didn't deserve it." She explained, "While you are under age, you are my responsibility and I have to decided what's best for you -"

"I can decide -!"

"Wait. Listen." Hermione started again, "I have to decide what's best for you and I decided when the first letter came, five years ago, that you were too young and that you still are, until you are legally an adult."

Lucius put his head on her shoulder and Hermione put her arm around him, "I don't think I want to see him, you know."

"You don't have to," Hermione reassured him, "but... we won't think any the less of you if decided you want to go and meet him. We'll love you just the same." Hermione knew she was taking a chance in saying what she said next - Severus would murder her if he had heard - but she said it any way, "I'll... even come with you if you want to go before your birthday. I mean, you know now, so there's no point in stopping you from going if you want to."

"You'd go with me?" He looked up hopefully.

Hermione nodded, "So, do you wanna go and see him?" Lucius looked thoughtful, then nodded meekly, "Ok, I’ll owl Azkaban," Hermione got up and went to the door. She held it open for Lucius and closed it behind them, "Oh and... don't tell any one, alright?"

Lucius nodded.

""""""""""""""""""""

Two days later, Hermione got a reply letter from Azkaban, stating that they would be able to visit Draco on Wednesday, in two days.

She told Lucius; he was rather subdued about the whole affair, but she didn't blame him. Of course, Severus knew nothing about it.

On Wednesday morning, Hermione grabbed Severus before he went to his first lesson.

"I'm going shopping," She smiled.

Hermione could see him tense visibly; even after all these years, those words still affected him. Two years after her abduction he had still insisted on going every where with her, even though Draco was in prison.

"Really?" He said shortly.

Hermione nodded, "Yes and I’m taking Lucius with me."

Severus seemed to relax. He kissed her quickly.

"Be back soon," He said as he left.

Hermione pulled on her coat and pocketed her wand, then she set off for the entrance hall. She met Lucius there; he was pale.

"Ready?" she asked. He nodded, "Come on, then."

They got down to the gates and when they were out of the school grounds, Hermione used side along apperation. They arrived outside the grimy building.

Lucius looked disgusted and slightly horrified; Hermione took his hand and smiled as brightly as she could when he looked up. They headed in.

A guard at the desk signed a slip of paper and led them to a cell.

Lucius was speechless. That could not be his father. No way!

Draco Malfoy had been a vain man; overbearing; snobby. Not this... this wreck...

The man behind the bars had straggly, shoulder length, grimy blonde hair. He was dirty and his robes were ragged. He was thin and... No words could describe the difference.

Hermiones hand tightened in his. The guard stood to the side; he was unnoticed by Lucius. The man in the cell hadn't noticed them yet, either.

"Can we go in?" Lucius said distantly. It was like some one wanting to feed a lion in a zoo.

"Well... we could... but I really don't think -"

"I want to go in." he said stubbornly. Hermione looked over to the guard. He nodded slightly and unlocked the door. The prisoner looked up. His eyes sparked.

"You came," he rasped.

As Lucius couldn't sleep, Hermione did, "Yes. We came. Now, if you would kindly say what you want to say, and then we can be off."

Hermione watched Draco looked between her and Lucius.

Finally he spoke, "No husban-"

"Get to the point."

Hermione was surprised that Lucius spoke this time, actually sticking up for Severus in a way. The teen was staring coldly at his father.

Slowly Draco got up he approached them, but neither Lucius, nor Hermione stepped back; their hands tightened. The prisoner reached slowly towards his son. Lucius jerked away. Draco smirked.

"So grown up," he whispered, "and yes... definitely a Malfoy..."

Lucius snarled, "I am not a Malfoy. I am not like you!"

Draco smirked, "Oh, you may mingle with a Mudblood and a traitor, but your still one of us at heart -"

"Stop it," Hermione warned. She could feel Lucius getting upset and angry, "I didn't bring him here for you to start -"

"You didn't bring him here? What does that mean? Why are you here anyway?" Draco asked suspiciously.

"I live with her," Lucius smiled evilly; "She's my guardian."

Draco seemed stunned, "G-guardian?"

Lucius nodded smugly, "Her and her husband look after me. They are my family."

Draco looked between them again. This news seemed to spark energy in him.

He grabbed Hermione painfully by the arm and pushed her back against the wall of the cell. The guard hurried down the corridor for back up and Lucius flew after his father, grabbing him by the hair.

"My son!" Draco screeched hoarsely, "MY ONLY SON -!"

He swung his arm back, making Lucius dodge it, and dragged his chipped nails down the side of the witches face. Before he could go too deep, four bulky men pulled him away and immobilized him.

Lucius pushed past the guards and over to Hermione. Her cheek stung and she held her hand over it, hiding it from Lucius.

She grabbed Lucius with her free hand, "Come on,"

She pulled him away and out of the prison. Once they had apperated back outside the Hogwarts gates, Hermione stopped.

"Are you ok?" She asked.

He nodded, "Yeah... fine..."

"Right, well, then, you should go back to your common room." Hermione said briskly, still holding her face and walking towards the castle.

Every one was in their lessons, so they met no problems. Hermione kissed Lucius goodbye and carried on through the dungeons to her rooms.

She opened the door to her living room slowly. It was empty. She sighed and walked over to the mirror above the fire. Carefully, she pulled her hand away from her cheek, wincing a little.

Four brilliant red lines streaked down her face. Gently, she touched the deepest cut and looked down on her finger. It was that much blood. In fact it was hardly any at all.

She wiped the red on her robe and then reached for her wand, as she looked back up.

She jumped and gasped; hers wasn't the only reflection in the mirror.